Ryan Tubridy has continued his stance against domestic violence today, saying it was a 'gut reaction' to threaten breaking an admitted abuser's legs.

The RTE star was addressing the issue of domestic abuse against women on his 2fm radio show and speaking to a man who admitted beating his wife.

"I'm just trying to . . . if you did that to somebody I love, I swear to God, I would have personally called you over and broken both your legs," Tubridy said live on air yesterday.

Speaking on his show this morning on RTE 2FM, he said: "There has been a big reaction to yesterday's interview with Chris, who said he regularly beat his wife 20 years ago.

"He gave a very honest interview, it was pretty difficult, but it was straight up.

"I was bit taken aback by him and the prosaic way in which he explained what he did to the woman he allegedly loved.

"I said I would call over to him if it was someone close to me and break his legs.

"It’s a bit out of character and not the kind of thing i normally say, but sometimes you just get a gut reaction and say what you feel. It seems to have got things going."

In today's Irish Independent, Tubridy said: "Chris explained that he beat his wife so badly once that she ended up in hospital and despite a court appearance and trial (he was found guilty) he kept beating her.

At this point, I suggested that if he did this to any of the women in my life, I would go to his house and break both his legs.

It was a figure of speech but it came from the heart, the kind of thing I'd say in the pub. I realise violence should not beget violence but I don't regret what I said for a moment."